Flint wheel assembly and a lighter with such a flint wheel assembly

ABSTRACT

A flint wheel assembly is disclosed as including a flint wheel rotatable to rub against a flint for generating spark; and two outer wheels, each on a side of the flint wheel, and each operatively associated with the flint wheel via a respective inner wheel; wherein each outer wheel is movable substantially along its longitudinal axis between a first position in which it is out of contact with the inner wheel and a second position in which it is in contact with the inner wheel; and when the outer wheel is in the second position, the outer wheel is simultaneously rotatably movable with the flint wheel upon the application of a force on the outer wheel in a direction generally towards the inner wheel.

This invention relates to a flint wheel assembly for use in a lighter, and, in particular, such an assembly hindering undesired operation of the lighter by children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although there are a large variety of lighters now available in the market, there are broadly speaking only two ignition methods, namely mechanical flint wheel ignition and electronic ignition. The basic structure of a conventional lighter with mechanical flint wheel ignition arrangement includes a body and an ignition unit on the top of the body. The body includes a fuel casing for accommodating a liquid fuel under pressure. As to the ignition unit, such includes a gas valve on the fuel casing, a nozzle in communication with the gas valve, a gas valve lever engaged with the nozzle, and a flint wheel adapted to be in contact with a flint and rotatable relative to the flint for generating sparks.

There has not been much change to the structure of such a conventional mechanical flint wheel ignition arrangement. As sparks will be generated upon rotation of the flint wheel, such lighters are easy to use, but are also prone to easy misuse by children, possibly causing fire accidents and/or serious injury to the children.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a flint wheel assembly, and a lighter incorporated with such a flint wheel assembly, in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flint wheel assembly including a flint wheel adapted to be rotated to rub against a flint for generating spark; and two operating wheels, each on a side of said flint wheel, and each operatively associated with said flint wheel via a respective intermediate wheel member; wherein each said operating wheel is movable substantially along its longitudinal axis between a first position in which it is out of contact with said intermediate wheel member and a second position in which it is in contact with said intermediate wheel member; and wherein when said operating wheel is in said second position, said operating wheel is simultaneously rotatably movable with said flint wheel upon the application of a force on said operating wheel in a direction generally towards said intermediate wheel member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighter including a flint wheel assembly, said flint wheel assembly including a flint wheel adapted to be rotated to rub against a flint for generating spark; and two operating wheels, each on a side of said flint wheel, and each operatively associated with said flint wheel via a respective intermediate wheel member; wherein each said operating wheel is movable substantially along its longitudinal axis between a first position in which it is out of contact with said intermediate wheel member and a second position in which it is in contact with said intermediate wheel member; and wherein when said operating wheel is in said second position, said operating wheel is simultaneously rotatably movable with said flint wheel upon the application of a force on said operating wheel in a direction generally towards said intermediate wheel member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a flint wheel assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flint wheel assembly shown in FIG. 1, with one outer wheel removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the flint wheel assembly shown in FIG. 1, as fully assembled;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the flint wheel assembly shown in FIG. 3 in a stable configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a first alternative engagement arrangement between the outer wheel and the inner wheel in the flint wheel assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a second alternative engagement arrangement between the outer wheel and the inner wheel in the flint wheel assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a third alternative engagement arrangement between the outer wheel and the inner wheel in the flint wheel assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a fourth alternative engagement arrangement between the outer wheel and the inner wheel in the flint wheel assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a flint wheel assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a flint wheel assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, generally designated as 2. The flint wheel assembly 2 includes a central flint wheel 10 with a number of parallel teeth 13 for rubbing against a flint (not shown) in a lighter (not shown) for generating spark when the central wheel 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis L-L.

A longitudinal through hole 11 is provided in the central wheel 10 for receiving, on each side, a respective spindle 33 of an inner wheel 30. The dimension, shape and configuration of the spindles 33 of the inner wheels 30 and the through hole 11 of the central wheel 10 are arranged such that when the spindles 33 are received within the through hole 11, the central wheel 10 and the inner wheels 30 are fixedly secured with one another, in particular for simultaneous rotational movement about the axis L-L. On a face of the respective inner wheel 30 opposite the central wheel 10 is a respective outer wheel 20. Each of the outer wheels 20 is thus also on a side of the central wheel 10. An axle 32 of the inner wheel 30 is receivable within a longitudinal hole 22 of the respective outer wheel 20, allowing free rotation of the outer wheel 20 relative to the respective inner wheel 30, and thus relative to the central flint wheel 10, about the axis L-L.

A spring 40 is disposed over the axle 32 and between the inner wheel 30 and the outer wheel 20, which biases the outer wheel 20 away from the respective inner wheel 30. On a surface of the inner wheel 30 facing the respective outer wheel 20 are teeth 31 arranged in a ring shape, which are sized and configured to mesh with teeth 21, also arranged in a ring shape, in a concave surface of the respective outer wheel 20.

The manner of operation of the flint wheel assembly 2 may be described more clearly with reference to FIG. 4. When the flint wheel assembly 2 is in the normal, stable configuration as shown in FIG. 4, the outer wheels 20 are out of contact with the inner wheel 30, and thus the teeth 21 of the outer wheels 20 are out of mesh with the teeth 31 of the inner wheel 30. As the diameter of the outer wheels 20 is larger than that of the flint wheel 10, when a digit, e.g. a thumb, of a user acts on the assembly 2 with a view to rotating the flint wheel 10, it will only act on the two outer wheels 20. However, as the teeth 21 of the outer wheels 20 are out of mesh with the teeth 31 of the inner wheel 30, rotation of the outer wheels 20 will not bring about corresponding rotation of the inner wheels 30, and thus the central wheel 10. Thus no spark will be generated, and no flame will be produced. The outer wheels 20 are shown here as having corrugations which enhance engagement between the user's thumb and the wheels 20. It is, of course, possible to dispense with such corrugations, in order to enhance the child-resistance of the assembly 2.

In order to generate spark, at least one of the outer wheels 20 is pushed, e.g. by a thumb of a user applying an external force acting in the direction indicated by the arrow F, to move towards the central wheel 10, along a path which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer wheel 20, against the biasing force of the spring 40, such that the teeth 21 of the outer wheel 20 are in contact with and in mesh with the teeth 31 of the inner wheel 30. It can be seen that the direction indicated by the arrow F is also parallel to the axis of rotation L-L of the assembly 2. When the outer wheel 20 so engages the inner wheel 30, and with the continuous application of the external force, rotation of the outer wheel 20 will bring about corresponding co-axial rotation of the inner wheel 30, and thus the central wheel 10, so as to rub against a flint to generate spark for producing a flame. Simultaneous rotation of the outer wheels 20 and the inner wheel 30 will only occur with the application of the external force. When the external force is released, the spring 40 will push the outer wheel 20 away from the inner wheel 30, thus disengaging the outer wheel 20 from the inner wheel 30, and thus from the central wheel 10. It should also be noted that an external force acting on the outer wheel 20 in a radial direction will not bring about engagement between the outer wheel 20 and the inner wheel 30.

Apart from the teeth arrangement discussed above and shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the outer wheel and the inner wheel may be engaged with each other by a number of different arrangements. As shown in FIG. 5, a rough surface 121 on an outer wheel 120 may face and be engageable with a rough surface 131 of an inner wheel 130. With the application of the external force urging the outer wheel 120 against the inner wheel 130, the rotation of the outer wheel 120 will bring about simultaneous rotation of the inner wheel 130.

On the other hand, and as shown in FIG. 6, a rubber or similar soft material 250 may be fixed, e.g. by adhesion, to a surface 221 of an outer wheel 220, or to a surface 231 of an inner wheel 230, so as to enhance frictional engagement between the inner wheel 220 and the outer wheel 230.

FIG. 7 shows another possible arrangement which is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, on a surface of an outer wheel 320 facing a corresponding inner wheel 330 are provided with a set of slanted teeth 321, which will only mesh with a set of slanted teeth 331 on a surface of the inner wheel 330 facing the outer wheel 320 when the outer wheel 320 is acted on by an external force.

A further possible engagement arrangement is shown in FIG. 8, in which one or more protrusion 424 is provided on a surface of the outer wheel 420 facing an inner wheel 430, whereas one or more recess or through hole 435 sized and configured to receive only part of the protrusion 424, e.g. part of the free end of the protrusion 424, is provided on the surface of the inner wheel 430 facing the inner wheel 420. The protrusion 424 may be an arcuate protrusion or a spindle. Of course, such an arrangement will work equally well with the protrusion provided on the inner wheel 430 and the recess or through hole provided on the outer wheel 420. As shown in FIG. 8, even when the outer wheel 420 is engaged with the inner wheel 430, as they are only loosely engaged, rotational movement of the outer wheel 420 will only bring about corresponding rotational movement of the inner wheel 430 if there is an external force urging the outer wheel 420 against the inner wheel 430.

It should be noted that it is not strictly necessary to have the spring 40 in order for the assembly 2 to work. The spring 40 is only installed for further reducing the chance of accidental actuation of the central wheel 10 by a child. FIG. 9 shows a flint wheel assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, generally designated as 502. The assembly 520 differs from the flint wheel assembly 2 discussed above only in that there is no spring between the respective outer wheel 520 and the inner wheel 530. Even in the absence of any spring or similar means which biases the respective outer wheel 520 and inner wheel 530 away from each other, no simultaneous rotational movement between the respective outer wheel 520 and inner wheel 530 will occur even if the teeth 521 of the outer wheel 520 are in mesh with and in contact with the outer teeth 531 of the inner wheel 530. Simultaneous rotational movement between the respective outer wheel 520 and inner wheel 530 will occur only if there is also a continuous force urging the outer wheel 520 against the inner wheel 530.

It should be understood that the above only illustrates examples whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the invention has so far been described and shown as having two outer wheels each on one side of the flint wheel, it is equally possible to have only one outer wheel operatively associated with the flint wheel.

It should also be understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations. 

1. A flint wheel assembly including: a flint wheel adapted to be rotated to rub against a flint for generating spark; and two operating wheels, each on a side of said flint wheel, and each operatively associated with said flint wheel via a respective intermediate wheel member; wherein each said operating wheel is movable substantially along its longitudinal axis between a first position in which it is out of contact with said intermediate wheel member and a second position in which it is in contact with said intermediate wheel member; and wherein when said operating wheel is in said second position, said operating wheel is simultaneously rotatably movable with said flint wheel upon the application of a force on said operating wheel in a direction generally towards said intermediate wheel member.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein, in the absence of said force, when said operating wheel is in said second position, said operating wheel is rotatably movable relative to said fling wheel.
 3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein, in the absence of said force, when said operating wheel is in said second position, said operating wheel is rotatably movable relative to said intermediate wheel member.
 4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said operating wheel is biased towards said first position.
 5. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said operating wheel is biased towards said first position by a spring member.
 6. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said operating wheel is slidably movable between said first position and said second position.
 7. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate wheel member includes teeth member engageable with corresponding teeth member on said operating wheel.
 8. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein said teeth member of said intermediate wheel member are slanted.
 9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate wheel member is fixedly engaged with said flint wheel.
 10. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate wheel member includes a rough surface engageable with a rough surface on said operating wheel.
 11. A lighter including a flint wheel assembly according to claim
 1. 